B&K Components Reference 4430 vs New Outlaw 5000

Milito

Which 3 channel amp would you pick to go with my two S55's and my S30 and why.

What would be a good price on the B&K Components Reference 4430?

Thanks, I'll still looking for an amp.

rooftop59

I have a very similar amp, B&K TX4430. I am really not sure what the difference is between it and the reference lol. Great amp, plenty of power, warm sound with great bass. The only downside is that it is from the late 90s, might need servicing soon (caps mainly). I got mine for what I think was a solid price, around $350 shipped in the original box.

I haven't heard the outlaw. Main difference is five channels instead of three, a little less power, and I would guess its a little less warm sounding and slight more analytical, but that is MERELY a guess. Hopefully some owners will chime in...

Milito

Thanks for the reply.

Yea I saw a 4430 on a site and he wanted $500 plus shipping which I thought was high, but I wasn't sure. The reference has trigger connections. I'd like an amp to drive my 3 front channels.

How much does it cost for caps (ballpark) if it needed some?

rooftop59

Milito wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Yea I saw a 4430 on a site and he wanted $500 plus shipping which I thought was high, but I wasn't sure. The reference has trigger connections. I'd like an amp to drive my 3 front channels.

How much does it cost for caps (ballpark) if it needed some?

I think that's too high given the age and that its only 3 channels.

I am really not sure about the cost of recapping. I don't think the caps themselves are that expensive, its labor that gets you. I don't think its a difficult job if you know how to solder or have a friend with skills. I, unfortunately, have neither friends nor skills

Milito

I can solder some as I have done it in the pass on items, but never electronics.

Thanks again.

tonyb

The outlaw would be the better choice in this scenario. Your speakers are very easy to drive anyway, and the Outlaw is newer.

You could get away with a 2 channel amp too and let the receiver handle that small S30 center.

Milito

Yea I saw a B&K Reference 200.2 I liked, but it had already been sold. I'm going to also see if the Outlaw 5000 goes back on sale for Christmas if I don't find anything before then.

mantis

DSkip wrote: »

I know it will probably be above your budget but I’ll have a silver Reference 200.7 available soon.

HMMM!!!

jeremymarcinko

I’ve noticed the price on the Outlaw keeps going up. Maybe a supply and demand thing going on here. It’s a good amp and well worth the money and I know you’ve been asking about it for a while. I wouldn’t hesitate placing an order.

Milito

If I don't run across a deal on a used amp before Christmas, I'll probably get the Outlaw.

Thanks all for the feedback.

motorhead43026

Just throwing this out there. This would be more in line with the B&K, although wanting way too much imo. These HCA Parasounds hold up pretty well even as they age. This one looks to have been very well taken care of.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Parasound-HCA-2003-3-Channel-Amplifier-Excellent-Condition/323580120935?hash=item4b56e0cf67:g:VEAAAOSwWgdb1mAv:rk:2:pf:0

Milito

I appreciate the link, but that is more than I want to spend.

mrloren

Choice of a new Outlaw or get a 10+ year old used. For me it would be the new outlaw.

When I was looking for an amp I considered the Outlaw 5000. Nice amp and if it's only driving 3 speakers it will have more power than the 120W it is rated at. Some of the reviews I read on it said the 120w rating was extremely conservative.

Milito

I've read the same review several times and read that about it driving 3 speakers and measuring higher output than the listing rating. The age of the other amps is a concern for me.

jeremymarcinko

Correct it’s known to do 135 per channel all channels driven and about 175 with two channels driven.

Milito

Well I finally made a decision and just ordered an Outlaw 5000.

Thanks everyone for all of the input helping me make a decision as it was a big help.

jeremymarcinko

Congrats! It’s a fine choice.

Milito

Thanks.

Milito

I got my 5000 yesterday and connected everything. I had some cheap interconnects so I'm using them till I can get some better ones after the holidays.

The sound is a little cleaner and not as strained at higher volumes and bass is a little better. Overall the music just sounds better and watching TV, the voices are a little clearer. I don't think I can really judge it yet till I get better interconnects.

mrloren

Look at the SVS SoundPath https://www.svsound.com/products/soundpath-rca-audio-interconnect-cable
Nice cable. I couldn't find any real bad reviews on them.

I was looking at these https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQBMII

msg

Milito wrote: »

I got my 5000 yesterday and connected everything. I had some cheap interconnects so I'm using them till I can get some better ones after the holidays.

The sound is a little cleaner and not as strained at higher volumes and bass is a little better. Overall the music just sounds better and watching TV, the voices are a little clearer. I don't think I can really judge it yet till I get better interconnects.

Even without nicer interconnects and speaker cables, you should notice that your speakers hit with greater authority, and separation with an amp, and you should notice less congestion at higher listening levels. All of that and more will get better with cumulative upgrade to quality cables when you're able.

I may have missed it, but what are you using for the front end?
Did you have an amp at all before, or was this all out over an AVR or surround processor?

Milito

Thanks mrloren, I was also looking at the audioquest ones. Let me know if you try them.

Scott I have noticed what you are talking about as the overall sound is better. I using a Yamaha 2070 on the front in a 3:1 setup.

msg

Aventage 2070, Nice!

No secret I'm a B&K fan, but given the age of the earlier amps and possibility for needing a little rehab, I don't think you went wrong on the Outlaw, especially wanting to power all three fronts. 3ch B&Ks seem a bit rare.

I imagine that Outlaw amp is being right cheeky to your S55s.
I'd be curious to hear how they do without your sub, even, mains only.

What kind of music are you playing with them?
You got the Yamaha in direct?
How are you getting music to it, and what do you like to listen to?

Everyone needs a reference playlist, man

Not sure what you like, but here's one for you. Enjoying a bluesy eve here...
(note: any hum is most likely not your speakers or gear)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_Z8xb2gvs

pitdogg2

mrloren wrote: »

I was looking at these https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQBMII

That cable is pretty darned good. It is basically Audioquest king cobra in a different jacket

Milito

I haven't tried it without my sub and I need to run YPAO again since I just installed the amp yesterday. My wife has all of her Christmas stuff in the way now so I'll wait till after Christmas to play with settings and setup.

I listen to Rock, Country, Soul, Motown and some of the current music, but not much as I like a lot of the old music better. I have it all converted to flac on a usb 128GB stick. My wife listens to Pandora mainly.

I have played the Yamaha in direct also.

Good tune, I need to listen to more Blues.

I thought hard about getting a B&K, even bid on a few at the start of my hunt for an amp. However them being that old was a concern and I decided I wanted to run all 3 channels off one amp.

mrloren

pitdogg2 wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

I was looking at these https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQBMII

That cable is pretty darned good. It is basically Audioquest king cobra in a different jacket

Yeah I want to give them a try but I need to save for a bit and the SVS cables are working very goof

Here is my kind of blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-wwglkifvg